Risk Factors for Postoperative Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis Following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective This study aims to systematically evaluate the risk factors associated with the development of postoperative lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LEDVT) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI). Methods A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Comprehensive searches of Chinese and English databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang, were conducted from inception to December 12, 2024. Two researchers independently screened articles and extracted relevant data. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality criteria. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3, applying a random-effects model to combine effect sizes, with subsequent sensitivity analyses and assessments for publication bias. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024629624). Results A total of 13 studies (n = 777,327) were included, comprising 8 case-control studies, 2 cohort studies, and 3 cross-sectional studies. Eleven significant risk factors for postoperative LEDVT were identified: advanced age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10–1.14), use of dehydrant (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.38–3.04), mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.01–1.02), elevated D-dimer level (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.11–1.27), polytrauma (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.29–2.03), hypertension (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.07–1.15), surgical duration (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.06–2.42), elevated body mass index (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.16–1.45), deep venous catheterization (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.15–1.60), length of hospital stay (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.18–1.56), and blood transfusion (OR = 3.56, 95% CI: 1.91–6.63), with all p values <0.05. No statistically significant associations were observed for Glasgow Coma Scale score (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.98–1.28) or diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.97–1.07). Conclusions Eleven variables were identified as significant risk factors for postoperative LEDVT among patients with sTBI. These findings underscore the importance of implementing individualized preventive strategies for patients identified as high risk.